5/23 - Best shot.

Gave it my best shot with a late notice trip on Sunday, with 4 passengers. Figured I mimic what I've been doing. So that meant a late departure, around noon. The boat ramp traffic goes in "waves". I never really realized that. First wave at crack o' dawn, then another around noon. Go figure. There was no parking spots, and there may have been if it wasn't for the single cars parked in the trailer parking spots. So I arrived early, and figured I'd hang out and wait for a early leaver to pull out and grab that parking spot. With boat in the water for over and hour, truck in a transitional spot (not a super legal spot) I waited. A fellow fishing guide came in and I went to grab his spot as he pulled out. And some guy decides he's going to stand in the parking spot as his buddy puts in the ole pontoon boat. I pull in toward the spot, and he just stands there......

I said, "you can't stand there guarding a parking spot!" He gets all mad looking and yells "we're parking that (pointing) truck here." I said, "I don't think so....."  Yep, just another wonderful day at the Mayport boat ramp.  Too much city, too many people, too small a parking lot, not enough water for everyone. That's definitely what weekends have become.

That's why myself and especially my buddy DOA Rob love winter so much...."thins out the crowds."
(Just not winter's like this past one. Normal winter's.)  

My folks finally arrive and we try last of the falling tide bottom fishing on the inside tip of the north. Yesterday, we had a stinger, a nurse shark and a 32" Redbass there. But today, the EAST breeze was blowing.
There's no EAST that's a good thing around here. The swell was present. But do-able. And we hung a dumpster-lid sized stinger.

I had 3 young Marines, and ones dad aboard. Brandon gallantly fought the stinger as it smoked drag off my mini-Accurate twin drag reel, bowing over my light bottom fishing 6'6" Intracoastal Ugly Stik. He tried, but there was no getting this "lid" to the boat after it went down and stuck to the bottom in 40 foot. I gave it a try and couldn't budge it. So I had to break it off.

So we moved on to float-rig fish for the Reds. The water was sloppy, brown, and the EAST wind was a royal pain in the butt. Couldn't stick on the spot, the swell was snatching on the anchor. But after 5 tries, I got us somewhere near where we needed to be. The tide was getting right, but not there yet. But with other boats around, I had to stake out the area. On weekends, it's others that are the problem. Not usually the fish. I have to be extra vigilant and work in some defensive maneuvers. We had to cast far to the spot and let the floats drift. We tried and tried, fishing only two lines. Hooking only Ladyfish. And they were almost enough for my crew. Can't imagine what a 32" Redbass up against the jetty rocks would have done to them.

After what seemed like a few hours trying for the Reds, without success. I saw nothing that made me want to continue on this spot that's been so good to me, since last Tuesday. I usually can't get a 3 day run out of a spot like this. The weather's never good, that long.

We moved into the river. Every place I wanted to try had either a boat on it or a line of humans standing on the bank casting. So we jumped quickly from spot to spot, that seemed somewhat fish-able. It was now high tide and the wind was due EAST and blowing a steady 15 knots.....kinda a K.O.D. situation as the moon rose in the horizon.

The last three spots didn't even produce a Jack or Ladyfish. So we ended the day, and headed back to the dock.

-looking so forward to weekdays again. It's been a hell of a weekend. The tides now all wrong for the Reds at the jetties on the float-rig. So I'm heading up river in search of the illusive Speckled Sea Trout on Monday with just two people.

-Then on Tuesday, I'm back with another 4 passenger group that just booked the trip today! Guess we'll bottom fish? I keep looking for live bait IE: Pogies, Greenies, close so not to waste time looking all day for them. And I'm finding, none.

Of course, now that I could use a well of Pogies. They're not around. 3 weeks ago, they were everywhere and I didn't need them. That's the way it always goes.    

5/22 - Back Howlin at the rocks, again.

Boy, did I have a couple stressful days between my last trip and today. I've been experiencing a squeal every once in awhile in my Honda outboard. But never effected the performance. So like the human body with a pain, motors with a noise is obviously a sign that somethings a miss and needs attention. So, with zero time and not many mechanic skills, I started hunting for the culprit. Until, I ended up thinking I found not only the source, but a possible secondary source. I missed one charter, giving it to a buddy to take. And then making a call to the best Honda man in NE Florida.....because he'll make a house call, and knows his stuff, inside and out. He's the only person in the area who could get me back in the water, fast.

But the saga didn't end there. The diagnosis was made while on the phone. So I quickly ordered the parts. Barely got them on time, and then like any job, it's the unknown that makes a simple job take hours. Even for an absolute expert. But persistence paid off. And Friday evening at 7:30pm I was ready for the water at 7:30am on Saturday....today!  My phone is ringing off the hook, so of course this is when down time happens, right?

But I was ready, even though my doctor wouldn't have liked to see what my blood pressure was the last few days. Because he would have said, "double the dosage of the BP pills!!!!"

So it's another Saturday morning at the Mayport boat ramp. The river is a mess of people. And I have 4 guys, booked by Andrew M. for he and his buddies. My plan was to get some live wigglers, either Pogies, or Greenies at the jetties. Drop to the bottom and hopefully hang on.......during the falling tide.

No Pogies close. No Greenies, at the jetties. We try float-rig fishing a bit and the tides running way too hard.
So I make a call. And get a box of Boston Mackerel delivered to the boat ramp dock, as the guys use the rest room. I head to the Little Jetties......zip! Across from the Little Jetties.....zip! So we head back to the big jetties. I set up and get where I wanted too. And we finally get into something.

First rod bend was a Stingray. Of course, it's summer now. Like a day without sun shine, what's dropping to a bait to the bottom without a garbage can lid on a hot summer day? Next fish, a 32" Redbass. Finally, it's what we were there for. Targeted species.


















The falling tide started to fade, with no other bites. So we moved on. Was it time to break back out the "LT" (light tackle) ?  It was time to get the float-rigs back in the water. I made a move, and explained that we'll just fish two rods first to "just see", and make them right. And we weren't in position 10 minutes when a float goes down. And hooked up was a nice keeper Redbass.

I think it's time to start the party!
Now, we had all 4 guys throwing floats. Thank goodness they could cast. Usually, I never fish four float rigs. Because, it can be a nightmare of tangles. But I just tried to stay outa the way.....And more reds were hooked up, lost, broke off, and landed.

We had a triple hook up at one time. But the third fish popped off. And most were keepers, while only one was too big for the box, I think.





































The guys ended the day hot, sunburnt, and with plenty of reds in the box. They were thinking, "what was up", earlier in the day. But, this is the St. Johns river and no matter what you think you know about fishing, it's all about fishing the tides and being on the right spot, when the fish are there.

So, next up for me is Sunday, again with 4 passengers. And we're not making a marathon out of it! We're leaving at noon. Then on Monday, I'm back to two guys. And that'll be a kick backed trip with a favorite regular customer that I've had aboard many times.

I hope to not have "expensive stress" like a had the last few days again, any time soon. But that's how this biz is. You'd think I'd be used to it all by now. But I'm  not.

5/18 - PERFECTLY......Red

Had Dave and Mike C. and Craig aboard the Jettywolf today.

It was P-E-R-F-E-C-T. Ya don't get days as perfect as this all the time. But, tide wise..."we had to wait it out". Wind wise...."light SW, to zero". Sun wise...."Blazing, and hardly a cloud." Angler wise....."two of these guys have done this before on the Jettywolf, and the third was a very quick study!!"  

Besides my baitwell pump crapping out and almost all the shrimp died on me and having to go back and get 9 dozen more. The day was flawless.

Over 30 Redbass, from 16 to 32 inches. Loads of perfect keepers. One Yellowmouth Trout, and one big BEAUTIFUL Pompano. Not one Ladyfish, Not one Jack Crevalle. ""Multiple 3 red"" hookups at one time, meant controlled mayhem on deck. Yeah, that's what I like!

I'll let the photos tell the rest of the story.

Ugly Stik 7'6" Striper Rods, Shimano Citica bait casting reels, Float-rigs, small hooks, light leaders, plenty of live shrimp, 26' plate alloy jetty fishing machine, low wind, perfect tide, and good anglers. Meant loads of FUN, sun burn and fish slime. Afterwards all that was needed was some blackening seasoning, melted butter, a white hot cast iron skillet, a cold beer, and look out......"it's eating time."   

5/ 16 - Mid-May:

BIG WIND with East in the direction, had put a damper on my last fishing trip. It was one of those days that no matter what I did, and where I went, Mother Nature seemed to be against us. Throw in a bit of seasickness rolling swells and ya have a tough day.  So, on Sunday, I was relieved to have a nice "cruise charter" with 5 folks. A few from England, a few from Melbourne Fla. and one from Jax. Any time I don't have to fish on a busy weekend, during the middle of the day, I'm liking it.
















Plans were to head out the jetties, run up the ocean and into Nassau Sound. Round the sound, go down the ICW to Ft. George, then south in Sisters Creek to the St. Johns, head west, round Blount Island to the Dames Point, and back to Mayport. But the wind was up a bit from the S.E. again, and it was low tide in the morning. So I figured running in Nassau Sound at low water may not be the best idea. So I had to change our route.


Angler's wanted: For a near-coastal, and offshore trolling trips. I'm looking forward to catching some Kings, and even Cuda's. And maybe even a Cobia. It's time to move away from the river on weekends. I'm all rigged up. I believe between my bag of spoons, a box of cigar minnows, a livewell with pogies or greenies. From the South East hole to the near-shore reefs, we'll  be able to have some fun away from the crowds.

It's also getting hot enough, to do some 6pm-midnight fishing on weekends. When everyone else has gone home. It's cooler and the river is ours.

5/9 - Time to think....like a King.

Besides the Cobia showing BIG TIME on the beach and tide rip earlier this week. And some King Mackerel showing up on the beach too. I usually say, "when the first Kingfish is caught off the Jax beach pier, it's GO TIME for beach fishing."

Haven't heard or read any caught off the pier yet. There may have been one caught already (?). But I saw some caught south of the Mayport jetties, with my own two eyes as I plundered into the vast parking lot that made up Saturday's boat festival. I said it before, I'll say it again, "I don't see $3.00 fuel prices slowing anyone down one bit. Except for maybe charter boats."

When Cuda's are stacked up like cord wood on the St. Johns River's tidal rip line. I think it's fair to say, you could go to a close in reef now, and have good A-C-T-I-O-N.

It seems like yesterday, that I was out still feeling cold. Yeah that's right, it was the night Nick and myself went night fishing to see how my lights worked. We had to quit, we were shivvvvvering, so bad.

So what's in the pressure cooker for the Jettywolf?

Near-coastal and reef trolling trips for Kingfish Mackeralous?













Yeah. Certainly not new, just different.
















And those 6pm to midnight Trout - float-rig fishing trips. Can' ya imagine being along the jetty rocks after dark and what might lurk about behind the boat, being drawn by a glowing green light, that's attracting all kinds of bait? Oh I can! All we need is a windless, calm evening.

Like this, right here.


















Just thinking about it has me feeling like, howling from the Jetties.

5/6 - Jus' The Jetties & Jeff

I had Jeff A. aboard today. This is a man that works so much it took him being layed off, and waiting for his next job to have a moment for me to take him fishing. We've talked about it since I've gotten my new boat, and that was 3-1/2 years ago! As an experienced "float-rigger", I didn't have to tell Jeff much at all. And that's a good thing. Because as we fished together, he whooped azz on me. So bad, that I thought I was using some other kind of bait. I ended up with two tiny seabass and a Jack Crevalle all day.

There was NO tide today. (after the full moon last week, we're now in the waning crescent moon) and as the ole rule of thumb goes. Anything less that 4 foot or better of water movement, you will struggle all day to find good tide to fish in. Especially as a "float-rigger".  So we fished just the Jetties, (aka: Inlet) all day long, staying in close to the current source. We needed an all day trip. Because half the time you're waiting on some kind of water movement.

That's why this time of year ALL CHARTERS, unless you really can't, or don't want too. Need to be 6-8 hour days. Summer is our weakest tide season.

Right off the "git-go" Jeff was into bites. Mostly nothing to rave about. Some Ladyfish, Seabass, and then all of a sudden he hooked into a drag smoker! A big fish on the light tackle that pulled and pulled hard. Moved fast and had Jeff dancing around the back of the boat. I thought Redbass, then a big Jack Crevalle. Never did a Spanish Mackerel enter my mind. But that's what it was. A MONSTER SPANISH. For these parts.
Especially up inside the inlet while fishing 10 feet of water!

Yeah, I've caught Spanish Macs this big before. But usually offshore while King Mackerel fishing, or off the beach in bait schools in 50' of water. But on the light tackle "float-rig", this Spaniard gave Jeff a run for his money. So much that afterwards, we wished we could catch about 10 more of these. But Jax isn't the Florida keys. And we weren't anchored on a "patch reef" chumming either. So as hard as we fished. This was the only one.......or was it???

We got loads of swing and a miss type bites. Typical of a Spanish ripping by and just taking a live shrimp off the hook. But that's all we did......swing & miss.

The tide was like nothing. The boat swung east, then west, then spun in a circle. Easy to deal with, while only having one experienced angler on board. But, this would have been hellish if I had 3-4 people, that were serious newbies to the game.

I continued to play catch up. While Jeff slam dunks the FIRST 2010 genuine Speckled Sea Trout, of the year along the jetty rocks. Yes, this winter put the kibosh on the BIG Specks at the jetties. For some reason, once the freezing temps arrived in January. It seemed to alter the entire pattern we go by and I know so well along those big rocks. So as Jeff worked a good sized GATOR to the boat. I was freaking out!

Jeff was on fire! And I was hoping we found the "nest" of Trout. But this was the only one. Just like the Spanish Mack. We ended up going around the rocks, checking for current as the tide slowly changed, like "Molasses in January in Jacksonville" this winter.
We were better off along where we started. So we went back there and anchored up again.

We weren't there long. I was still struggling to even catch a F-I-S-H, and Jeff has his float go lazily under the surface. He comes tight, and then the fish feels the pressure. Right up against the ten ton granite boulders, Jeff now hooks a Redbass that just realized it was hooked. The fish goes for the rocks, comes out, goes for the rocks again. Comes out. Jeff's rod is in the shape of a horse shoe! I'm about coming outa my skin, holding the landing net. It's an all out gray colored battle. Nothings black or white, no one knows who's gonna win this.
The jetty rocks are RIGHT THERE! Like a good fisherman, Jeff stays calm (calmer than I) and hangs on and the fish turns, comes toward the boat and I scoop it in the net. Oh what a classic light tackle next to the rocks float-rig fishing scenario. All the more important, because it was a 25 inch keeper!

Not long after this fish, Jeff hooks up another azz-hander! And that fight was short. Right into the rocks, and POP goes the leader. Oh....that was a big'un!

The tide started to move on in, and the bites quit. So we picked up, tried a few other non productive spots and went back to where we started once again. But bait was getting real scarce. I called the bait shop to see if they got that new batch of live shrimp in yet. And headed for the boat ramp. Jeff was gonna jump in his truck and go get more live shrimp. We took all that was left in the tanks this morning, which was 7 dozen. And we went through those pretty fast. The day was still young. So after baiting up with 4 dozen more. We headed out to the jetties again. But only after checking a "winter Trout hot spot".

I needed to see, since this year is like no other year I've experienced lately. If the big Trout were on a winter spot still, on the flooding tide. It too had to be a literal high tide, before there was any really pushing current. And the spot didn't have any Trout on it. And I finally caught a fish that fought. A 3 pound Jack. So we left and headed again, back to the jetties. This time we were on a mission. Find more Trout like species. Be it Yellowmouth Trout or Specks. 

The water was now deep green ocean water everywhere. We anchored up. And the place was dead. No Specks, no yellowmouths, no any mouths! But since it took us 4 tries just to get anchored right, because of the wind and little bit of current we had. We weren't leaving, just yet. We had two other boats near us, that kept jockeying for position. And hardly giving any room for me to maneuver. I knew where I wanted to be, and I was gonna get there! One guy just left after a few tries. And another ended up behind us somehow.

So once I was where I wanted to be. Jeff put the sticks to me again....He hooks up with a big Redbass. It does the same deal. In the lack of current, they go straight for the structure. Which means straight for the nasty jetty rocks. This obvious over sized hulk, made the right moves, and Jeff looses it.  We keep fishing. I  was catching litl' bait snatching rock blennies, and a small Jack.  So was Jeff, but it didn't take long for him to get bit again. Another big Redbass.......was he gonna be able to stop this one? The fish made a few mistakes, Jeff took advantage. Right there is the difference. Knowing when to take advantage. I see so many fisherman on my boat that think all ya do is just reel. Nope! You have to play the fishes weakness'. Take advantage of when you get a chance to move the fish away from the structure. This isn't bass fishing in a lake where you can just reel and skip that little largemouth across the water, after a jaw breaking hook set.

Jeff plays the fish perfectly and has himself a 32" Redbass, out of the cloud of bait stealer's we were in.

















This spot really started to not be very good. So we moved back to our original spot where the Trout, Spanish Mack and other Redbass came out of. We had just a few shrimp left out of the 4 dozen. We didn't get much. But while I went basically without a bite, Jeff at least was getting bit. Nothing to write home about. It was now past 5 pm. Jeff's wife called to find out where he was. So we packed it in, all sun burnt and happy.

On another note, from what we were told, way down the beach. Probably the Redtops and beyond. There was a Cobia bite from hell and back. I didn't know it was such in full swing. Jeff and I had no plans other than to float-rig fish all day. Plus I didn't have the fuel in the boat to make a 30-40 mile round trip, that could have been needed to go chase the Cob's. But just like last year, when that water got super clean and green on the beach. The Cobia showed up. I even saw who said he caught one in his J-14 Carolina Skiff. And he came by us at the jetties and told me he had to put the fish on another boat. Because he didn't have the ice for it.

But, I'm sure like last year. The first drop of dirty water, or high winds will have those fish laying up on the reefs offshore in a heart beat. Our "sight casting" Cobia season many times last a mere few days, anymore.

A Few days????
Probably.
Here's why:
SUNDAY - NORTHEAST WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS. SEAS 3 TO 5 FEET. INLAND
WATERS CHOPPY.

The Pogies are also right down the beach from the south Jetty. Even though I saw all you'd want back in early March at the Jetties. Now is the time to go get in the bait pods, and see if there's any big Reds in them, along with the usual small sharks, and maybe even a Cobia. Or just go get some close by and drop them down deep along the jetties for some big over sized Redbass.

Today while at the jetties. Believe it or not.......IT'S THAT TIME, TOO. I saw a pack of Cuda's swim by the boat. And one even came by real fast to check out Jeff's last big Red, while he was fighting it. It seems that every year, more and more Cuda's come to the jetties. Before long, ya maybe catching them up in the river??

The Tripletails are still on the rip lines at the low tide. We looked for a short while this morning. Didn't see any. But I heard they're still being found. The limits on Tripletail is 2 at 15" and above, per person. Last week Chris M. and I saw many 12 inchers. That looked like freshwater Crappies. Obvious not legal fish. But fun to get to bite, anyhow.  If that's all ya find. 

Next up for me; Taking Mom out on Sunday. She likes catching Ladyfish. She calls them, "those dancing fish". Jeff caught several of them today. And man, were they big. Usually, this time of year they're a pound or so. Jeff caught a few that were 4 pounds at least. I'd rather go hook-up a 50 pound Cobia, and then hand the rod to mom and say....."Here ya go, and ya gotta cook it too!" (I'm nothing more than a fry guy.) So Mom can make a big piece of Cobia better than I could.


IT'S TIME TO GO....IT'S TIME TO PRE-BOOK YOUR CHARTERS IN ADVANCE. THE MORE TIME YOU GIVE ME, THE BETTER PLANS I CAN MAKE FOR YOU.

Last week I talked to a fella, who said  "In S. Florida, I just walk the docks and can get on a charter boat as a extra person."

Number one, there's no docks to walk around here. This isn't "touristo" south Florida! Here you make plans, call and pre-book your day with a deposit. I can, if you give me enough time, do "late notice" charters. But a day is better than an hours notice.

Less than 36 hrs notice is a 1/2 up front non-refundable, if there's a no show deposit.
Policies page:  http://www.captdaves.com/Policy%20Page.html

This is N.E. Florida. It's done differently here. If I'm not fishing, I'm doing what you do at home. I'm cutting the grass, trimming the bushes etc. I will not hook up the boat to the truck, fill with fuel, buy the bait and ice without a $100 deposit minimum.

5/1- S.E.Sea Breeze & Sun burn.

May 1, the date says, "summer in Jax" to me. Doesn't matter when the calender says Summer is. May first has always been the break out time. Then, why the heck was I kinda cold this morning in a T-shirt, as Steve H. and his father Warren loaded up and we headed towards the jetties? Cause it was an iffy morning. The clouds were thick, and the wind was blowing hard as I baited up at 6am at B&M bait and tackle. Good thing that I knew it was just that clump of clouds on the radar that would pass in a few hours. And when it did. Here came the sun shine, and warm air, finally.

The conditions had it where I felt our "best bet" was to just keep it simple. So again, the Jettywolf went Sheepshead fishing. Yes, that's twice in a row. I can't believe it either. Steve's dad needed my big plushy deck chair. So we got him up along the gunnel of the boat so he could just drop over the side. But the first several stops produced nothing but a, Jack Crevalle. Still in a bit of the full moon influence, it seemed to take forever for the incoming current to make a steady push in the river. And I could tell the jetties were a bit windy and nasty by the ammount of the boats stacked up along the carrier basin point. It was a "boats attracting boats" situation. Because no one was tearing them up, that's for sure.

So we moved around. And that still didn't work. I told Steve, "Ya know, I have a good feeling if we could get to the jetties, there's a spot during the flooding tide where we could get yellowmouths, and Reds. But it's gonna be rough as a C-O-B!"  At this point, Steve was all about trying anything. It was probably 9am already, and we hadn't caught any Sheepshead.. So we picked up the anchor and headed that way. I knew, all I had to do is get the right tide and get settled on a spot, and all would be good. That's the situation sometimes. Not everyday is it going to be instantaneous gratification.

The end of the jetty was a USDA Grade washing machine.  I pointed to where I caught them last Saturday, and again on Thursday evening. It was pure white water! Steve didn't feel his dad could be in that kind of water, even if he had the big deck chair under him.

So I tried a spot along the inside of the N. Jetty. And there is where we had all our action. No sooner we dropped lines over and Steve had the first Sheepshead. Second drop, BAM.....another.

 

And there we sat, with some decent action catching a few Sheeps, a pup Black Drum, and even a few throwback Sheepshead that were too small. Even tried a float-rig down the rocks. And a "azz hander" 12 Lb. Redbass, burned drag doing all it could, to break off in the structure.

  

I don't claim to be a super Sheepshead master. But even this "float freak" can find some, which is good. My usual Sheepshead fishing, is fishing deep, especially this time of year. Because during the spawn many of the all out big sow's will be out in the mud, sand, or on channel ledges. I fish slower current, heavier tackle, and use clam and crabs. That's how I usually target them. So today's "rock dabbing" worked for me. Although we did have a fair share of snags in the rocks. I fotgot all about that. Which is maybe why I don't do the "dabbing" all that much.

When the tide started to fall, we made a move to see if we could get, just one more. And that's when the wind started to howl......aka: Mother Nature saying, "go home" is what the wind was really saying. So after a few rock blennies, snags and mini seabass. That's what we did. Headed back to the dock to clean what we kept.

  It was a good day, for a Saturday afternoon. Ya know, I'm more ""keen"" on Monday mornings. But ya have to do what ya have to do. Hope to have Steve and his pop's back again. Maybe next time we'll go Trout chasin.

THINK, RIGHT NOW IF YOU HAVE PLANS ON FISHING ANY DAY NEAR THE MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY.  Do not wait till the last minute!! (holidays should be booked 30 days in advance)

4/29 - Rubber legs needed

Hit the big rocks around 3:15pm and took along my "grasshoppa" Chris C. with me. Or as James at B&M bait & tackle called him....."If you're a Jettywolf apprentice, does that make you a Jetty-pup or cub?" I told James Wolves have pups, bears have cubs, "get it right, will ya!"

So the "pup" and I blasted our way on out to the south jetty tip. I had a plan on this low,low full moon tide. Search for some Tripletail, till the tide got right and then whack some Yellermouth Trout and what ever bites afterwards.  Sight casting them three tailed fish isn't as easy as it sounds. If ya don't know the habits and practices of a Tripletail, I'll let ya "google" them.

We eased along the tide rip line, looking for a hovering 'tail. And to make a long story short, we saw six of them. Caught zero. Five out of 6 were small, probably the size size of a good fresh water Crappie (aka: to a Florida Cracka') a "speckled perch".  One was a keeper sizer in the plus range. It came to Chris' live shrimp, and even came to my "Shiney Hiney" shrimp lure but wasn't aggresive at all. That was the first larger one we saw, or we ran into the same one all over again, and it literally swam off the rip and to the boat! But for some reason the shrimp didn't get in it's face. These fish are known to reach 20 pounds with ease. Table fare, excellente!

Remember, everything seems a bit late. Here's last years first sight casted one I caught by myself on a solo day on March 12th.













That day I saw no less than 10 Tripletails, but it sure was hard to spot, drive the boat and cast. Kinda like Cobia hunting, it's best if someone is spotting and someone is driving. But of course I did a solo trip last year and caught a sight casted Cob too.













If I had to wait for someone else to go, I'd never get my fish. Because when it's go time. I'm not waiting on ya'. Especially the way the Cobia are around here.

So after a bit of Tripletail frustration the tide was half ass right. So I got the Jettywolf in position. It took a bit of adjustment. The SE wind was building and going one way, the tide started to run the other way. And not long after the jetties were 100% vacant. Because the seas picked up. Just like last Saturday with Don, Lisa and Nathan. "HOLD ON SHUT UP AND F-I-S-H!" These photos I took at a low level, just before they all turned to whitewater on top.
















At first every single cast and bite on the Float rig was a "float down, reel set and no fish."  I soon figured it out after two dozen live shrimp were wasted. The Spanish Macks were up in the rocks. We'd get a twitch of the float sometimes and then nothing. Then, I finally caught one, Chris caught a Yellowmouth Trout, then some Bluefish, then it was really sporty. And the action was steady, steady steady. We were doing all out combat fishing in the bucking seas. And again.....this is why the Jettywolf was built. She handles the "slop" like a thoroughbred with waders on! Chris was loving it. Just like Don, and Lisa last week. But not Nathan, he was seasick. It's action at the extreme level for jetty fishing. Water's hitting the side of the boat and even with my high sides, is rolling over the gunnel. But we're dancing around and having a ball, setting the hook and reeling in fish.
















Then, a large twin engine WellCraft trolls by us. I said to Chris, "watch me whack one while they're trolling for 12 inchers...."  And between the swells my float says Bye,Bye. I reel and set the hook on a screamer. Isn't it something, I knew that was gonna happen. The guys in the Wellcraft got all bug eyed. And before you could say Brutus T. Redbass they were anchored up near us. But weren't there long, at all.

This over sized Redbass had so much "spit and vinegar" in it, I had to work to keep the fish out of the jetty rocks with all I had. But pulling isn't the key. Because my tiny wire Kahle hook, is just that; tiny and thin wire. So it's knowing when to pull. Add in the fact that the fish had folding rolling waves to play in. It was a great battle on the ole light tackle float rigging Skakespeare 7'6" Ugly Stik Striper rod.

We caught fish till the baitwell was empty. And man did we wish we had more shrimp. Because I had the Hydroglow fish attractor light and would have loved to see what we could do after dark. So we headed back in to clean our limits of Yellowmouth and the Spanish Mack I caught, under the boats big LED floods.

It was a great afternoon of rubber leggin it, along the jetty. And like a Jettywolf, we were at the end of the rocks howling at the full moon, making the turn back into the river, feeling successful even though we caught no Tripletail.

And I'm glad my young "Jettypup" friend got to experience it, too.

Next up: Saturday morning at 7am with two fella's.

4/24 - Saturday, leaving late.

Had a super great crew aboard Saturday. Number one, they were all about departing at 3:00pm, as everyone else was going home. I liked that. And number two, Don B. was aboard. And I really like, Don. From the first time we went out years ago, Don will keep you in laughing all day long. The other thing that was neccessary for a late departing Saturday trip was BIG TIME sea legs!

My first spot was "white water", but I knew the fish would be there. Exciting as all hell, in small doses. The boat sat in the trough and whallowed back and forth, water crashed and slapped the side of the boat and a few times splashed right in! Yes, it was "hold on and fish". But Don and his friend Lisa, and young 14 yr. old Nathan were up to it. I said, "we're gonna whack some big Yellowmouth Trout, maybe some Specks, too." This is what the JETTYWOLF was built for. I've fished here many times before in these same exact conditions. Sometimes the fish are chewin' in a spot and it's not going to be super comfortable. But it's gonna be a whack-fest! So you gotta be there.

And I was right. Don, Lisa, and Nathan started reeling in  fat Yellowmouths to 20 inches, no problem. The fish were scattered though. So it took some finding them. I just told Lisa, "Don't get too comfortable with them. Because the next time your float may go down it could be a big Redbass. And it won't act like a Trout!"  Sure enough, about 5 minutes later, her float goes down, and see ya later......the RB takes off on a 100 foot run down the rocks. In these seas, the battle was magnified. Standing, reeling, rod bending, drag pulling, swells folding, all made the fight, that more intense. Besides the 15 pound mono leader, and the number 4 Kahle wire hook, along the big nasty granite boulders.

The Redbass ended up being a 28-1/2 inch fish, and was a good picture taker, then quickly released to fight another day.  I thought I took a few pics of the fat Yellowmouth Trout. Especially the one that Nathan caught. But, I guess not, in all the excitement. Don said he was loving it. Lisa was hanging on a having a blast trying to hook up more Trout. Not long after Nathan catching the largest one, he was down and out for the count in the bow, sea-sick. So after Lisa's Redbass, we moved on. I didn't want to sit there any longer, the poor boy was not looking good. So we moved on.

As we pulled away from the jetty. Guess who shows up? I see it about 10 swells away, poking it's head out of the water. It's Flipper!!! The friendly Dolphin again. It saw us bouncing around in the seas and came straight over and again.....asked us for a free fish, sticking it's head out of the water along side the boat and smiling the Dolphin grin at us a few times. I wasn't about to give it a big Yellowmouth Trout. And we never even caught a single Bluefish (believe it or not). So after not getting a freebie, it swam away.

My whole plan was working. There was hardly a boat around at 5pm. No traffic, no wakes, no anyone! I was loving it. So the plan was to go do some Sheepshead fishing, after the Trout. Yeah, can ya believe it.
The Jettywolf was going Sheepherding? Reason being is, they are going NUTZ! The buck Sheepshead seem to be just about everywhere. The spawn, I guess is in full courtship of sorts. Not that a Sheepshead has only just one life love....

So I pulled up on the spot that a few weeks ago we caught a 10-1/4 pounder. The spot is deep, has great current and I know, doesn't get hammered by the masses. The anchor line was tight for only 5 minutes and Don, sitting up on the bow was already slowly pumping the first Sheeps to the boat! We looked up and there he was rod bent and bucking, with a big grin. Them danmed Digital Cameras, I ended up getting a shot of Don dropping the fish instead of holding it. (just like when I tried now for the 3rd time of getting a photo of Flipper!) My Digital Camera is way tooooo slow to react!


















Nathan, was now back feeling alive. And was having a hard time feeling the tap,tap, of the Sheepshead bite. Don had 3 fish in 5 minutes back to back. Lisa had her fair share, no problem. So I helped Nathan out.















All the buck Sheepshead ranged from 2-4 pounds. And I wanted to see if we could catch that big "sow" that could be near. So I even tried a few drops. But instead of fiddlers I tried jumbo live shrimp. And yeah, I got tons of bites. But only caught the first Jack Cravalle of the season. Lisa caught a pup Black Drum at 16". I would have liked to see a 10-15 pound Black Drum too, for Nathan. That would have been something. But, the Sheepshead kept chewin. And as the sun went down, the bite went in and out as the tide slowed too. So we left for the dock with a 72 qt. cooler full of 6 Trout, 1 Black Drum, and 10-12 Sheepshead.

My plan worked out great. And Lisa even had headlamps, thank goodness. Because half way through the fish cleaning, it got really dark! 

4/22 & 23 - A little bit of every thing.

My buddy Jay Perrotta of BlackLab Marine & RockSalt boats was in town as of Thursday afternoon.

Bringing that big RockSalt 34 welded aluminum boat www.rocksaltboats.com up from S. Florida. To just show folks. So my dad and I met him over at Morningstar Marina, as he pulled up from the St, Johns. We've been keeping tabs on Jay's travels north through the ocean and ICW via www.aluminumalloyboats.com the forum that's my second home. I bought my boat from Jay when he lived in Maine. And the Rocksalt 34 is a different breed of aluminum alloy welded boat. It's monsterous and can seriously GO FAST.

With twin 350 V-8 Yamaha's, and the yacht quality look of  the hull and interior. The boat was a "must see", at this years Miami International boat show in Febuary. And I didn't hit Miami this year. So I missed it. But this was even better. Jay and the Rocksalt being in J-ville.

Painted 1/4" plate alloy with toilet, two sinks, two livewells, racing seats, 700 Horse Power, three electronics boxes, and console and hard top that the crew can do chin-ups on. Nothings coming loose on this boat! Fish "holds", not just boxes, and storage out the ying-yang. This is a awesome offshore fishing machine. And it's all made out of the same material my boat is. 5053 Marine Grade Alloy.

The ride comes later. Jay and his buddy needed nurishment and some cold drinks. They had just run from New Smyrna Beach this morning in the ocean to Jacksonville's St. Johns River inlet. So off we went to Singletons Seafood for fried oyster Po' boys with crunchy onions on top.

My dad and I helped Jay by giving him and Charlie a ride to rent a car in Jax Beach. But my ride would come on Friday. I had nothing else to do. And wouldn't miss behind the wheel time on this big bad ass boat. So I met Jay at the Marina on Friday morning and we went cruising. The spit will roll out your lips when this boats lighting it up out the jetty rocks.

No seas, dead azz flat calm. Bummer.....ya want some "sporte" seas in a boat like this.
















This would be more like it.














If I was an Long Range offshore guy and really wanted a boat to get customers there and back fast, I'd only have aluminum, of course. And this would be the boat I'd have custom built.




4/22-23 - Night Fishing shake down.

Hit the river at 8pm after hanging with Jay, Charlie and Pop's, and the Rocksalt 34. Had my buddy Nick who's the drummer for the band, Rathkeltair (Celtic Rock Fusion: www.Rathkeltair.com ) with me. He's a night owl, so he was a good choice. We did a shake down night fishing trip and got back home at 2:30am. 

    
Tried out my LED's I mounted on the top of my windshield. And my new Hydroglow light for fish attracting, yes it attracts! (UPDATE: hydroglow customer service sucks!! I found that my light sinks like a rock, and is supposed to float. Darrel Keith, Mr. Hydroglow himself said he'd replace my light a week ago, and now the phone number doesn't work, and they do not reply to emails sent. I've now read that others on http://www.swordfishcentral.com/ forum that others have had bad customer service from him. There's others, I'd try them.)

The tide was falling and hauling butt. We caught fish, a few Specks, some sand trout (yeah small sand trout), some Blues naturally, and a few Yellowmouth Trout. The hydroglow light is supposed to FLOAT. And it didn't. It sank. So that was an issue. The current was a issue too. And we tried a few docks that have lights on all night. Ones I have been just dieing to try, with not much success. But all was good till maybe mid-night. And that's when it got colder than a well diggers ass out there. And I needed more than I had on.

Yeah, COLD, and a tad windy too. Next time, I'll actually have a game plan, also. But this was just a shake down. Now Hydroglow is sending me a new light, and I'll return this "sinker".

I loved it. NO one around. The whole river to myself. If it wasn't so dang cold it would have been better.
But I can see this summer is gonna be different for me. Because I'm not gonna put up with wakes, jetskis, Poke run race boats and ghetto cruisers, waking me. And every spot will be open to fish.

I'll be heading out in the evening with customers, if they can.  Why not?